Technology Student Association
Technology Student Association (TSA) is an international non-profit organization that involves students in technology with the purpose of educating students about living in a technical world. There are 33 competitive events of varying subjects to choose from, which students work year round, preparing for competition at the local level. If students find success on the local level they will then proceed onto the state level and finally the international level. At this final level of competition, 48 states as well as Peru, Germany, and Scotland all send their top entrant with hopes of success.
Click a topic on the left to read more about it.
Results on each individual events will be posted after the State compition held March 27-29.
Architectural Model
Participants (one individual or team per chapter) develop a set of architectural plans and related materials for an annual architectural design challenge and construct an architectural model to accurately depict the design. In 2007, participants design a single family residential home for a family of four, following the principles and guidelines for affordable housing in America.
Career Comparisons
Participants (one individual per chapter) thoroughly research various technology-related careers that are associated with one of the following technology areas: Biotechnology, Communications, Energy and Power, Engineering, Manufacturing, Medical Technology, Technology Education Teaching, Transportation, or Construction. After documenting the research, each student submits a cover letter and resume for the selected career and completes a formal job application. Finalists participate in an on-site mock interview.
Computer-Aided Design 2D, Architecture
Participants (one individual per state) create representations, such as foundation and/or floor plans, and/or elevation drawings, and/or details of architectural ornamentation or cabinetry.
Computer-Aided Design 3D, Engineering
Participants (one individual per state) create 3D computer model(s) of an engineering or machine object, such as a machine part, tool, device, or manufactured product. Students may be expected to extract a 2D representation from their 3D model.
Construction Systems
Participants (one team of two members per chapter) complete a written test that covers general construction systems knowledge. Finalist teams demonstrate their knowledge by solving a construction systems problem that is announced on site.
Cyberspace Pursuit
Participants (one team of three to five members per chapter) are required to design, create and launch a web site that features the school's technology education program, the TSA chapter, and research about a cutting edge technological topic. Pre-conference finalists participate in an on-site interview.
Desktop Publishing
Participants (one individual per state) develop a notebook that includes a tri-fold pamphlet, a three-column newsletter, and a poster. All participants (not just finalists) then work to solve an on-site problem that demonstrates their abilities to use the computer to design, edit, and print materials for publication.
Dragster Design
Participants (two individuals per chapter; one entry per individual) design, produce working drawings for, and build a CO2-powered dragster.
Extemporaneous Presentation
Participants (one individual per chapter) give a three to five minute speech, fifteen minutes after having drawn a card on which a technology or TSA topic for a speech is written.
Film
Participants (three teams per state) develop a film that focuses on a subject of their choice from one or more of the following areas: the arts, social studies, science, or technology. Possible subjects include but are not limited to social study documentaries, nature films, advertisements, comedies, or dramas. Sound may accompany the film/video.
Medical Technology
Participants (one team, with two or more members per chapter) conduct research on a contemporary medical technology problem of their choosing, document their research, and create a display. The steps used in the solution of the problem may be student-performed research or a re-creation or simulation of research performed by the scientific community. A model or prototype of the solution must be included in the display.
Promotional Graphics
Participants (two individuals per chapter) develop and present a graphic design that can be used as a TSA recruitment tool and that includes the theme for the next year’s conference.
Structural Engineering
Participants (one team of two members per chapter) work as part of a team, on site with supplied materials, to build a model of a structure that is destructively tested to determine design efficiency.
Technology Bowl (Written and Oral)
Participants (one team of three members per chapter) complete a written, objective test in order to qualify for oral question/response, head-to-head team competition.
Technology Problem Solving
Participants (one team of two members per chapter) use problem solving skills and limited materials to develop a solution to a problem given on site.
Transportation Modeling
Participants (one individual per chapter), using only certain materials and following required specifications, design and produce a CO2-powered scale model of a vehicle that fits the annual design problem and that takes appearance and performance into consideration.